Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan issued a statement on the passing of NFL veteran assistant coach Mike Heimerdinger:
"We lost a very special person and my best friend in Mike Heimerdinger. I know the man upstairs needed a superstar so he took him earlier than we all wanted. His love for his family was unprecedented and I will forever miss him."
Editor's Note: Shanahan and Heimerdinger were close friends and college roommates at Eastern Illinois University. Shanahan hired Heimerdinger as his wide receivers coach in Denver from 1995-99. He rejoined Shanahan in Denver in 2007 as assistant head coach-quarterbacks. Heimerdinger was most recently offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.